Daily Fantasy partners with MPBL for fantasy sports

An exciting milestone for Filipino basketball fans was announced on Tuesday as Daily Fantasy, the nation’s first fantasy sports platform, partnered with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), marking a new chapter for the sport.

Starting in the 2024 season, this collaboration will bring a fresh level of engagement to live games, enabling fans to create their own fantasy MPBL teams composed of their favorite players.

“We aim not only to provide our users with more ways to enjoy local sports but also to elevate the experience for loyal MPBL fans and add a deeper connection to the league,” said Carlos Molina, Daily Fantasy Marketing Manager, during a press conference at Fairmont, Makati City.

Already accessible to sports enthusiasts, Molina noted that players can join the games through the website, with an Android app available for download via APK.

What distinguishes Daily Fantasy is its dedication to offering a uniquely Filipino fantasy basketball experience. Key features include a 10-minute adjustment period before each game begins, daily tasks to earn free Ruby rewards, and an AP Level system for in-game progression.

Adding to the excitement are cash prizes that await successful strategists.

To enjoy the fantasy MPBL game, register and log on to the website (https://ift.tt/ONEtz5A). Once signed in, select an MPBL game and step into the role of a coach to build your winning team. Choose your captain and vice-captain wisely, as they can earn extra points for your squad. Simply pick the players you believe will perform best in the live match. Review player standings and scores to refine your strategy and increase your chances of winning.

Molina emphasized that MPBL players play a crucial role in the fantasy game experience, as users can handpick their favorite athletes while building their lineups.

“This will significantly boost the MPBL’s popularity as it brings the excitement of the game to fans nationwide and engage the sports enthusiasts who are also strategists,” he stressed.

Molina highlighted that Daily Fantasy operates under strict data privacy standards and is supervised by PAGCOR, ensuring both compliance and transparency. The platform promotes responsible gaming, allowing users to participate through free rubies or paid options.

In addition, Daily Fantasy has announced plans to expand by including more sports and leagues, along with new games. A collaboration with the MPBL for future events is also in the works, aiming to further engage basketball enthusiasts and regional fans.

With the rise of fantasy sports globally, the partnership between Daily Fantasy and the MPBL is a landmark moment in Philippine sports, offering fans a more interactive and immersive experience with their favorite league.

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UST to appeal Mo Tounkara’s potential suspension

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are preparing to appeal the potential suspension of Mo Tounkara ahead of their UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday.

An insider from UST revealed to Fastbreak that the team will contest the two technical fouls called on Tounkara for taunting during their 94-87 overtime loss to the De La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday night.

“Yes, we will try to appeal. Hopefully ma-reconsider ng UAAP Board,” the UST insider said.

Tounkara received his first technical foul at the 5:42 mark of the first quarter after flexing over Green Archers center Henry Agunanne following a contested layup.

He was later ejected from the game at the 3:38 mark of the fourth quarter after receiving a second technical foul for taunting Mike Phillips.

If UST’s appeal is unsuccessful, Tounkara will miss their upcoming game against Ateneo at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion and will also become ineligible for any individual season awards.

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Sixers star Paul George has bone bruise in left knee

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George’s worrisome left knee “checked out OK” on Tuesday, coach Nick Nurse said.

Nurse added that the veteran forward “is OK for now” but is still awaiting further imaging results.

George was injured during the second quarter of the 76ers’ 104-89 preseason victory over the host Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

He was on defense, matching up with Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson, when he hyperextended his left knee. He subbed out with 8:09 remaining in the first half and never returned to the game, finishing with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field in 12 minutes of action.

George, 34, made one of the biggest splashes in free agency this past summer when he signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers after spending the previous five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.

In 74 games (all starts) last season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He also was named an All-Star for the ninth time in his career.

George sports career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals, appearing in 867 games (819 starts) for the Indiana Pacers (2010-11 to 2016-17), Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-18 to 2018-19) and the Clippers (2019-20 to 2023-24). (REUTERS)

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G Scotty Pippen Jr. signs multi-year deal with Grizzlies

Guard Scotty Pippen Jr. signed a multi-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.

The exact length and financial terms of the contract were not released.

Pippen, 23, was on a two-way contract with Memphis last season, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 21 games (16 starts).

In his first NBA season, Pippen averaged 2.3 points in six games (zero starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2022-23.

Pippen was a college star at Vanderbilt and twice earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors during three seasons with the Commodores. He was not selected in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Pippen is the son of six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. (REUTERS)

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Casimero’s suspension in Japan extended to 1 year

The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) took Johnriel Casimero’s weight issue seriously.

After Casimero failed to make the 122-pound limit in his 10-round non-title bout against Saul Sanchez in Japan over the weekend, the JBC decided to punish the Filipino boxer with a one-year suspension.

“We [at] JBC have already suspended Casimero for one year due to his overweight. This is our JBC rule, so he is not available to fight in Japan for one year,” JBC official Tsuyoshi Yasukochi said in a GMA Network News report.

Earlier, WBO international boxing judge Edward Ligas mentioned that the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) was initially set to suspend Casimero for six months due to his weight infraction.

Casimero missed the 122-pound limit twice during the weigh-in for his non-title bout against Sanchez.

Despite the weight issue, the fight proceeded, and Casimero knocked out Sanchez in the first round. However, the celebrations were short-lived as the JBC ultimately decided to impose a stricter one-year suspension.

This marks the third time Casimero has failed to make weight for a fight. The first instance occurred in December 2021, when he was set to defend his WBO bantamweight title against Paul Butler. Casimero did not attend the weigh-in, citing “viral gastritis” as the reason for his absence.

In April 2022, he was again barred from competing due to using a sauna to cut weight, which violated the British Boxing Board of Control’s regulations. As a result of these infractions and his inability to defend the title twice, the WBO decided to strip Casimero of his bantamweight championship.

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Mark Nonoy officially signs with Terrafirma

Mark Nonoy has officially signed his rookie contract with the Terrafirma Dyip and is set to make his debut in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, starting November 27.

The speedy point guard signed his contract late last week in the presence of his manager Marvin Espiritu and Dyip team manager Ronald Tubid.

In a social media post, Nonoy thanked his former UAAP teams, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the De La Salle University Green Archers; his high school team, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, and mentor Bing Conlu; as well as his MPBL squad, the Iloilo United Royals, for helping him achieve his PBA dreams.

“Another door has opened and another opportunity to grab. Another journey to conquer and another family to love. Thank you, UST FAMILY and THANK YOU, La Sallians this is the FRUIT of your ROOTS #coachbingconlu #HuaSiong #iloilounitedroyal #BBCfam #ThankYouLord,” Nonoy said.

Nonoy, the No. 10 overall pick in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft, was unable to suit up for the Dyip after the Iloilo United Royals decided to keep him until the conclusion of their 2024 MPBL season.

The La Carlota City, Negros Occidental native is expected to enhance the Dyip’s backcourt, which includes Juan Miguel Tiongson, Stanley Pringle, Paolo Hernandez, and former UST teammate Brent Paraiso.

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UP fan admits confronting DLSU coach Topex Robinson over alleged spitting incident

A female UP Fighting Maroons fan admitted confronting DLSU Green Archers head coach Michael “Topex” Robinson over the spitting allegations.

In a social media post that recently went viral, Tricia Endozo-Villanueva said she chased Robinson in the hallways of SM Mall of Asia Arena after the DLSU-UP game on October 6 to question him about allegedly spitting on Fighting Maroons guard Reyland Torres.

“Last night after the UP vs. DLSU game, while waiting for our friends to exit, Coach Topex Robinson passed by in front of me. I grabbed the chance to ask him, ‘Coach, bakit kelangan mandura?’ Obviously, he ignored me,” Endozo-Villanueva said.

“Some DLSU fans asked to take photos with him, so I took the chance to stand beside the photographer to look at him in the eye and ask again, ‘Coach, why did you have to spit on Reyland?’” she added.

Despite repeated questioning, Endozo-Villanueva said Robinson kept ignoring her, which led her to shout, “Walang respeto sa UAAP, coach? Ano, kala nyo dito, ligang labas na sinasalihan nyo?”

Since Robinson continued to ignore her, Endozo-Villanueva said she kept following the Green Archers’ head coach as he was about to take the escalator to the MOA Arena bridgeway.

“I continued hounding them, and by that time, Asst. Coach Caloy Garcia had caught up with them, so I asked him the same question. His way of response to me? A hand motion saying, ‘It wasn’t me’ then pointed to Topex,” she said.

“See, even he knows who did what. He could have denied it categorically when he had the chance. A guilty person will avoid answering a direct question, hoping it will go away. Except it wouldn’t,” Endozo-Villanueva concluded.

Reacting to Endozo-Villanueva’s questioning, Robinson said in a Saturday night press conference that he deliberately ignored her because he was with his family when she was pressing him.

“Dun sa taong sumigaw sa akin dun sa MOA, Mrs. Villanueva, ‘yung pinahiya niyo ako sa harap ng pamilya ko, sa harap ng tao, inaakusahan niyo ako,” Robinson said. “Hindi ko kayo masagot kasi hindi po talaga ako gumawa nun.”

“But sana po pag nagkita tayo meron din po kayong lakas ng loob na magsabi sa akin na mali po ‘yung inakusa niyo sa akin. Sana po manindigan kayo,” he added. “‘Yung huhusgahan niyo po ako ng hindi niyo nalalaman ‘yung buong storya, siyempre po masakit din po para sa akin.”

Robinson faced backlash after a video appeared to show him spitting at Torres during the Green Archers’ 68-56 victory over the Fighting Maroons last week at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Fighting Maroons filed a protest with UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag regarding the incident, submitting video evidence of the alleged spitting. However, the league decided to issue only “a stern formal warning” to both Torres and Robinson.

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